Greater Montréal’s Film Industry Adds 200 New Jobs

Montréal, September 23, 2013 – Montréal International (MI) and the Québec Film and Television Council (QFTC) welcome Technicolor Canada’s decision to open a special effects studio in Greater Montréal under the Moving Picture Company (MPC) brand. The new studio, which covers over 2,300 m², will employ more than 200 artists over the next three years. The company also announced that it would relocate all its post-production facilities to a single site equipped with state-of-the-art technology.

On hand for the announcement were Québec Premier Pauline Marois, who confirmed a $1.2-million interest-free loan, and the Minister for Industrial Policy and the Banque de développement économique du Québec, Élaine Zakaïb.

“Technicolor’s decision to choose Greater Montréal and open a new visual effects studio boasting state-of-the-art technology reinforces the metropolitan area’s position as a world leader in the film industry,” said Élie Farah, Vice President of Investment Greater Montréal, Montréal International. “This large-scale project also highlights Greater Montréal’s many advantages, such as the presence of world leaders in a fast-growing industry, a large pool of qualified and creative talent, a favourable business environment and strategic government support,” he added.

Hans Fraikin, Commissioner for the Québec Film and Television Council and General Manager of ActionMTL, stressed the contribution of industrial clusters to strengthening Greater Montréal’s economy. “MPC’s arrival in Montréal is yet another example of how clusters play a key role in building and improving the Montréal metropolitan area’s audiovisual sector. In doing so, they help attract foreign investments while fostering economic growth and job creation in Montréal’s film industry,” he said.

Technicolor, a worldwide technology leader in the media and entertainment sector, is at the forefront of digital innovation. Its world class research and innovation laboratories enable the company to lead the market in delivering advanced video services to content creators and distributors. The company also benefits from an extensive intellectual property portfolio focused on imaging and sound technologies, based on a thriving licensing business. Technicolor is committed to helping deliver exciting new experiences for viewers in theatres and at home.

Created in 1996, Montréal International (MI) is the result of a private-public partnership. Its mission is to contribute to the economic development of Greater Montréal and enhance its international status. Its mandates include attracting foreign direct investments, international organizations and international strategic workers as well as promoting the competitive and international environment of Greater Montréal. Montréal International—a non-profit organization—is funded by the private sector, the governments of Canada and Québec, the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal (Montréal Metropolitan Community) and the City of Montréal.

Since its creation, Montréal International has helped to attract $9.4 billion in foreign direct investments to Greater Montréal. From these investments, more than 49,000 jobs have been created or maintained. To date, MI’s activities have also allowed almost half of some 60 international organizations to establish themselves in the city and attract and retain more than 8,000 international strategic workers.

The Québec Film and Television Council’s (QFTC) mandate is to contribute to the province’s development and competitiveness as a world-class film and television production centre. The QFTC is responsible for promoting Québec’s various strengths and assets in foreign markets in order to develop interesting new business opportunities. Working in close collaboration with the film and television municipal offices, the QFTC coordinates hosting and support services for international productions shooting in Québec. In its role as the Secretariat of the Metropolitan Audiovisual Cluster, ACTIONMTL, the Council also ensures industrial development by implementing programs designed to benefit the industry as a whole. Finally, the QFTC plays a key role in providing information and promoting awareness about the industry to its stakeholders and the general public.